She kept telling herself over and over that this was only a small setback. As long as she endured, the day would come when she could leave this place.
And her Senior Brother would surely come looking for her.
He definitely would.
Holding onto that unshakable belief, Xie Qinglan suffered in helpless agony. But as time passed, her strength was wearing thin. The pain gnawed at her, threatening to drive her completely mad.
It hurt so much.
Tears welled at the corners of Xie Qinglan's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. Even so, her vision was already growing hazy.
Just then, there was a disturbance above the swamp. It sounded as though something had fallen in.
"Senior Brother?"
Her heart leapt. Forcing her bleary eyes wide, she indeed saw a figure drop down.
At the same time, Song Wanníng landed and instantly spotted someone below. She raised her sword to strike, only to realize that the person seemed familiar.
Looking closer, she recognized her. "Xie Qinglan?"
It was not that Song Wanníng was poor at recognizing faces. Xie Qinglan's appearance had simply changed beyond recognition. Her face was swollen with strange bulging lines and muscles, so puffy she resembled a pig's head. Even her eyes were reduced to narrow slits.
Fortunately, her clothing remained the same. That was the only reason Song Wanníng could identify her.
"Song… Song Daoyou?"
Hearing a familiar voice, Xie Qinglan looked over in disbelief and was met with a familiar face. Her heart sank and lifted at the same time.
Sank, because the newcomer was not her Senior Brother. Lifted, because it was still a friend who would probably choose to save her.
"Song Daoyou, I… I am trapped here, it hurts so much… If you get me out, I will be forever grateful!"
She truly could not hold on any longer. The endless pain was torment enough to break anyone, and Song Wanníng was her only hope.
"I will try."
Song Wanníng nodded.
Xie Qinglan was a good person. Besides, if it had not been for her earlier tip-off, Song Wanníng might still be unaware that Medicine King Sect was hunting her.
So if she could save her, she would.
One look at the net trapping Xie Qinglan made Song Wanníng's expression shift. This was clearly a magic treasure.
Was Xie Qinglan caught in someone's scheme?
Could it be that Xiao Heyun?
Her mind immediately jumped to that invader. To seize resources, those people would stoop to anything. Perhaps this trap had been set by him to harm Xie Qinglan.
But for what purpose?
She was not certain yet, but she could not stand aside.
To take down Xiao Heyun, she would have to start with those around him, dismantling his little circle piece by piece until he was hated and hunted like Ye Chuxue had been.
Her thoughts flashed in an instant. Song Wanníng began to silently recite her cultivation method, and the black demonic threads surrounding Xie Qinglan suddenly shot out, racing toward her.
The surrounding strands seemed to sense their ideal host and surged forward in waves.
She absorbed them all without resistance. Under the suppression of her chaotic energy, the threads became docile, curling obediently in her dantian without moving.
Before long, they were compressed into a small, plump black sphere. Oddly enough, it looked almost cute.
Song Wanníng stared at it in mild surprise. This was not demonic qi… yet it carried a trace of it.
What a strange thing. But since it posed no harm, she would study it later.
With the threads gone, the agony was suddenly ripped away. Xie Qinglan's whole body went limp and she collapsed, gasping for breath.
Sweat drenched her, as though she had been soaked in water.
The pain now felt like a fading dream, vanishing without a trace.
But Xie Qinglan knew it was Song Daoyou who had saved her.
"Wait here. I will try to break this net."
Drawing her longsword, Song Wanníng struck hard at the net.
A surge of sword intent exploded outward, slashing into it.
The net shuddered but held firm, completely unscathed.
Unbothered, Song Wanníng struck again.
One strike.
Another.
And another…
Each blow grew sharper, her movements more ruthless.
By now, Xie Qinglan had taken a pill and huddled quietly in the corner, waiting to be freed. She watched the figure wielding the sword, her eyes shining with admiration. Every swing of the blade was dazzling. Song Daoyou looked so handsome when she fought. Even her Senior Brother could not compare. Her eyes went wide and she stared without blinking.
Then Song Wanníng unleashed another strike.
This time, she poured the full force of her inner world into it.
A thunderous crack echoed.
The net shattered like a brittle watermelon, breaking apart into lengths of rope that tumbled down.
The restraints were gone, but Xie Qinglan stood frozen, staring at Song Wanníng with open worship.
That strike had been incredible.
Song Daoyou was her idol.
"Go!"
Song Wanníng scooped up the ropes, grabbed Xie Qinglan, and shot upward.
In one swift dive, they burst from the swamp and landed on the shore.
From pain to rescue, it all felt like a dream.
Xie Qinglan clutched Song Wanníng's arm, her voice trembling with excitement. "Song Daoyou, thank you for saving my life! I swear I will not let your kindness go unrewarded!"
She hurriedly pulled out a pile of treasures and tried to shove them into Song Wanníng's arms.
"That is not necessary."
Song Wanníng pushed them back. It had only been a small effort. If it had been too dangerous, she would not have intervened.
"No, you saved me. If I do not show my thanks, I would be heartless."
Xie Qinglan's eyes sparkled as she pushed the items back into Song Wanníng's arms. Then she asked hopefully, "Song Daoyou, can I call you Wanníng from now on? I really like you. I admire you so much. I want to be friends with you!"
Her sincerity was bold and warm, making even Song Wanníng feel awkward.
It was the first time anyone had… confessed like that.
"Yes, you can."
Song Wanníng nodded.
Although her plan to deal with Xiao Heyun involved starting with Xie Qinglan, she truly did like this straightforward girl. Becoming friends would not be a bad thing.
"Great!"
Xie Qinglan's joy lit up her whole face. She rattled off a string of compliments so effusive that Song Wanníng's cheeks turned red and her head felt light. If this went on, she would start floating away.
"By the way, were you not with Xiao Heyun?" she asked casually.
Where had he gone all this time?
If he learned she had rescued Xie Qinglan and taken the crystal essence, his reaction would be interesting indeed.
===
Wanníng, go collect all of his women. Make them yours (o´∀`o)